Why is everything sold out?

Everything I want from lead to eraser is sold out... how long does it take for them to restock?

One reason that things may be sold out is that they are popular items.

I don't know how long a lead time there is on items from Japan. It probably varies from vendor to vendor. Just why JetPens keeps running out of items I'm not sure. Some vendors have a restocking point based on lead time (the time it takes to get a new order delivered and is partially dependent on which reorder method a vendor uses) alone. Some base it on usage rate (how fast a product sells) and some are based on a combination of both. Some vendors order from the manufacturer while others order from a distributor (warehouse). This is often dictated by the manufacturer. Some want to sell to only to distributors they trust. This can cause a bottleneck in shipping out orders as the distributors have to restock items as well. The advantage to buying from distributors can be (if the distributor distributes for more than one manufacturer) the vendor can get all their items from fewer places, even from only one place at times. The advantage from buying direct from a manufacturer is generally a lower cost per item.

There is also a method of restocking called "Point of Need". This is where the vendor does not reorder anything until there is a need to, that is when the vendor runs out of stock. The vendor usually deals with either a fast shipping distributor or direct from the manufacturer. Items are generally bought via telephone, with confirmation paperwork sent later, or by electronic means. Shipping is usually overnight express. While shipping this way cost the vendor more than standard shipping it it can be cost affective. On low markup items the vendor does not have the item sitting in their warehouse gathering dust and tying up assets. On high markup items there is a higher cash return. In either case all or part of the shipping costs are included in the vendors price.

Keeping a large quantities of items in stock, especially when the vendor sells a large diversified product line, can cost the vendor money in overhead (the overall cost of doing business, everything included). This is especially true when the vendor has particular items that do not sell well or at all. Having their assets tied up in inventory can limit a vendors ability to offer a wider range of goods due to a lack of capital.

Another thing that can tie up capital assets is whether a vendor is getting paid buy their customers. This is not a problem when the vendor deals strictly on a prepaid basis. Total cost of the item, including shipping and applicable taxes, is sent by the customer, and confirmed ,before the goods are sent out. However if the vendor deals with customers, even in part, that purchase in good faith (generally because the vendor has extended the buyer credit in one form or another) the vendor has to bill the customer and wait for their money. If the buyer is slow to remit then the vendors assets are tied up by the buyer. Collecting debts owed can drive up overhead.

There are lots of other factors that may cause the vendor to run out of stock but I hope that you get the general idea that it can be a complicated process. :roll:

Wow... just wow... :shock:

No kidding, that's really complicated.
I had no idea.

Is it possible to request an item and sorta inform them that someone needs/wants it? :o

I'm not sure. You can try by contacting JetPens via email and ask. You may also want to ask if they will reserve an item or items for you (if so this usually requires at least partial payment in advance) or if they will allow you to purchase an out of stock item or items (that they have reordered) and have them shipped as soon as the item or items are restocked. Some places will do this but most won't, unless this is the normal way they do business.

There are a number of reasons why a vendor would not take preorders. One is that in case the item or items don't arrive in a timely fashion they might have to refund the money. If the money is not accounted for correctly this can lead to problems for the vendor. The same may apply if the customer changes their mind and asks for a refund. Also if the vendors price goes up they either have to sell the buyer the items and take a loss or inform the buyer of the price increase and either collect more money or give a refund.

But, hey, it never hurts to ask! :roll: